By Lubna Abdel-Aziz With Ramadan days now dwindling down "to a precious few" for the 1.2 billion Muslims, come eventide our thoughts often stray to the many marvels of fasting. What is this tradition of abstinence and sacrifice that man has willingly chosen to practise since the dawn of civilisation? Man has fasted instinctively long before being cognizant of its physical and spiritual attributes. Tradition is the wisest advisor, the most trustworthy teacher. Through the ages, the lure of fasting has been the exercise of control over our bodies, heightening our mental and spiritual awareness. Our universe acquires new beauty, our soul new depths, our humanity new grandeur. Hailed by all religions for its mysticism and its spiritual purification, physicians, scientists and philosophers have also extolled the properties of fasting as a healing process for the body and mind. While the common denominator is the same, abstinence from food, drink, and other pleasurable activities for a given period, fasting traditions vary from one religion to another. In Islam, throughout the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims refrain from food, drink, and other corporal pleasures, from dawn to dusk. Muslims must also renounce falsehood in speech and action, indecency, discord and injustice. Ramadan inspires a sense of brotherhood and solidarity, urging Muslims to share meals, help the poor, and bond with their needy and hungry brothers and sisters. The holy Quran orders Muslims to fast, as was prescribed for those who came before them, meaning the Christians and the Jews. It is reported that when the holy Prophet Mohamed came to Medinah, he found the Jews fasting the day of Ashoura. When he asked why, he was told this was a great day for the Jews because God saved Moses and the tribes of Israel from their enemies, Moses fasted on that day, and so do all Jews. "The Prophet said: 'We have more right to Moussa than you do', so he too fasted on that day, and ordered his people to fast as well" (Bukhari). The Bible is replete with accounts of fasting, from Moses who fasted 40 days and 40 nights while on the mountain with God, and King David who fasted when one of his sons was sick. The Prophet Isaiah chastised the Israelites for their methods and motives for fasting, clarifying its spiritual and physical benefits (Isaiah 58). In Judaism fasting comprises abstinence from all food and drink, during seven calendar days, five of which are considered minor, and two major. Minor fasts are observed between sunrise and sunset; the major fasts are longer, from sunset to sunset the next day. Those are Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, and Tisha B'AV, a 25 hour fast. "Tzedakah", or charitable acts may reduce the length of certain fast requirements. All Christians fast, though the traditions and rules of fasting differ with the various denominations. Christian fasting involves "abstinence from eating meat from mammals or fowl, or soups and gravy made from both of them." Fasting is also abstinence from sin. "Jesus was led by the spirit into the desert, to be tempted by the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterwards he was hungry" (Mathew 4:1-2). Eastern Catholic and Orthodox churches fast on Wednesdays and Fridays, their penitential days. Roman Catholics observe Friday as a memorial to the day Jesus was crucified. Christians fast "to discipline the body, so we can focus more intently on the spiritual. And we fast to do penance" (Appetente Sacro -- Pope Clement XIII, 1759). "Dost thou fast? Give me proof of it by thy works!" Spiritual fasting holds greater and deeper spiritual meaning than mere corporal sacrifice. Buddhist monks and nuns, following the Vinaya rules commonly fast each day after the noon meal. Hindus observe various methods of fasting which vary widely, depending on their deities. The strictest diets stipulate abstinence from food and water from the previous day's sunset until 48 minutes after the following day's sunrise. If not for religion why then do we fast? Religions do not wish to punish the faithful, but to ennoble the heart and mind, and purify the body and soul. We fast for a variety of medical reasons. A medical fast is a prerequisite before surgeries when anaesthetics are used, because of complications from the presence of food in the stomach. Science does not go as far as to ascertain conclusively its benefits, but it does teach us of its many advantages. Homeopathic medicine also recommends fasting as a means of cleansing the toxins and dead or diseased tissue. Such fasts consist of water only, or fruit and vegetable juices, giving the gastrointestinal system a good rest. Fasting for weight loss should be closely monitored by professionals. The medical benefits of fasting are numerous and multi- dimensional. A total body transformation occurs with a wide range of metabolic changes and experiences. The body is able to clean out its system because it is not expending energy towards the digestive organs. It releases toxins from the colon, kidneys, bladder, lungs and sinuses, as well as clearing damaged skin. This being so, why is it so? The bulk of mankind could doubtlessly gain from fasting because we are mostly over-nourished, under-nourished, or malnourished. Our food is void of essential vitamins and minerals and loaded with fat, toxins and chemicals. Any fast cleanses our systems from waste, allowing our bodies to breathe. Some fasting is politically motivated, often with stunning results. Known as "hunger strikes", they have been widely practised since Mahatma Gandhi initiated the tradition in the 1940s. Many have followed in his footsteps like black American leader Martin Luther King. The Irish Republic Army (IRA) used hunger strikes effectively to advance their cause. British suffragettes frequently endured hunger strikes in prison early last century, and several died as a consequence. Italian poet and philosopher Lanza del Vasto fasted in protest of tortures committed against the Algerians, during their war of independence from French rule in 1957. Others joining him included François Mauriac, Robert Barrat, and General of Bollardiére. In 1963 Vasto fasted again in Rome to protest the Second Vatican Council. The 40-hour famine by World Vision Australia, aims at raising awareness of world hunger among the world's youth, as well as raising money to help children in third world countries. It attracts hundreds of thousands of participants. A truth does not exclude its contradictory. There is room for scepticism and despite all its blessings, fasting is not for everyone. Some benefit, others suffer. Religions have made provisions for the sick, the old, the young, the travelling, infants, pregnant and nursing women, etc. Those with life-threatening conditions, patients weakened by cancer, TB, HIV, Type I and II diabetes, kidney or liver disease, and anaemia are discouraged from fasting. Studies have recorded the successes of fasting in treating a variety of conditions including colds, flu, fever, bronchitis, headaches, back pains, obesity, allergies, skin problems, asthma, diabetes and even cancer. A Norwegian study confirms effective results of fasting in the treatment of arthritis. In a study by Kernt et al, a change in the production of Growth Hormone was detected, which plays a positive role in strengthening the immune system. In this rushing world of ours, we should break our routine and take time to fast, as we take time to go on holiday from our daily grind. The joys of both are priceless. With religions blessing it, physicians approving it, one can think of no reason not to fast. Its nobility has been abundantly recognised. Opening heaven's portals to such sublime and esoteric gifts of sound mind, healthy body, clear skin, as well as forgiveness for our sins, why waste another moment. Choosing a method suitable to your individual needs, embrace a fast, for a better life in this world and beyond, whatever your religion or creed. "When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of Heaven are open, and the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained. " (Bukhari).
